Andhra Satavahanas

Page Category: Andhra Telugu people

Satavahanas Andhras Kalingas

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Satavahanas are identified as Andhras after correlating names of kings of Andhras in Puranas and Kings referred in edicts of Satavahanas. That is why these people are called as Andhra Satavahanas by historians.

Rama performed his duty sincerely in upholding the Sanatana Dharma, Saving the weak from the tyranny of the wicked rulers. Rama killed Ravana for harboring Rakshasas and letting loose Cannibalistic Rakshasas against Sages and Brahmanas. Kakutsthas were a great dynasty which not only upheld and patronized Sanatana dharma but also carried forward the legacy of Hindu Sanatana Dharma far and wide for posterity, if establishment of the present day Prang and Pushkalavati in Afghanistan, Prang in Ganderbal, Ayodhya in Northern India and Ayuthiya in Thailand are any indication. (These texts are extracts from Chapter 16, Aparajitamin author’s BOOK: “A Tribute to the Ancient World of India”)

Sarthaka

WE have noted in the beginning of this chapter that Ayodhtya is also called as Sarthaka. And we have also learnt that the Bodhisatvas who had lead caravans of merchants from Kosala were called as Sarthavahas. From this we can infer that Sarthavahas were none other than merchants from Sarthaka, capital of Kosala Rajya.

Satavahanas were referred to as one of the prominent dynasties of post Mauryan period. Historians believe that Satavahanas were one of the feudatories of Mauryas in South India. But let us know that earliest traces of Satavahanas in Southern peninusula were found in Western Maharashtra area. The famous Triambakeswar temple exists in this part of the land from where River Godavari originates. And actually this place is called as Nasik.

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We have earlier noted that Kosala people are also called as Sarthavahas and Ayodhya was called as Sarthaka also. It is interesting to note that words Sarthavaha and Sathavaha have etymological similarity.

So we can infer that Sathavahana people should be actually immigrants from Sarthaka country into the present day Maharashtra. These people must have established the famous Shiva linga of Triambakeswar at Nasik (remembering the Triambakeswara of legendary Tripuras). It should also be noted that later day Sathavahanas claim their ancestry to Lord Rama and called themselves as Ikshvakus.

So in all probability we can say that Sathavahanas were one of the peoples who have emigrated from the Former Ayodhya (Harappa). They seem to have first settled in Maharashtra and later moved to the land between R. Krishna and R. Godavari, the present day Andhra Pradesh. And also moved to Madhura in deep south of the peninsula. Their name Telugu obviously traces its origin from Tripuras.

It is said that Shiva become Tripurantaka after he destroyed Tripuras when people of Tripuras stopped worshipping Shiva Linga. So there must be Three Lingas in the Three Cities prior to stopping of worshiping of Shiva Lingas by Tripura people. Etymologically Trilingas must have transformed into Telugu in due course of time like this,

Telugu language

Telugu Jaati or Telugu Jathi or Telugu Jaathi or Andhras are words used to refer Telugu speaking people of India. Telugu is the language spoken by people of the present day State of Andhra Pradesh predominantly. Presently Telugu speaking Andhras are second largest linguistic group after Hindi speaking people in INDIA. In addition to 8.46 crore odd Telugu people in the State, Telugus constitute about 10% of populations of States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Chattisgadh. There are sizable populations of Telugus in the States of Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal.

Telugu is the Official Language of the State of Andhra Pradesh, and Telugu is one of the National languages of Indian Union.

నా ఈ వ్యాసాలను కూడా చదవండి

Trilinga → Tilinga → Telinga → Teliga → Telugu

It is well said that Word ‘Telugu’ had its roots in words ‘Trilinga desam’, which denotes a geographical area in Deccan Plateau consisting of Three Lingas worshiped by People as symbol of Lord Parameswara or Lord Siva .

Trilinga must have been pronunced as Tilinga by Buddhists of Ikshvaku ( 1900 years back ) era to denote Andhras who inhabited an area which must have Three Linga Temples. That means Andhra area must have three famous Linga worshipping temples/places in its land. What are these Saiva Temples is mystery. May be any three of (1) Nasika Traimbakeswar, (2) Sri Saila Mallikharjuna, (3) Dakhsharama at the mouth of River Godavari, and (4) Sri Kala Hasti.

I think first three must be the main land that was occupied by ancient Andhras. For Andhras are said to be the inhabitants of land between Rivers Krishna and Godavari

First Kings of Andhras called themselves as Satavahanas or Satakarnis or Salivahanas in their epigraphs and on coins. Name Andhra was not mentioned by them. By Juxtaposing names of Andhra Kings as enumerated in Puranas and those found mention in Satavahana coins and inscriptions, historians have concluded that Andhra people and Satavahana people are one and the same.

Simuka or Chimuka or Srimukha

Simuka or Chimuka or Srimukha is considered to be the founder King of Satavahanas.

Naneghat inscription

Naneghat inscription ( 2100 Years old ) mentions his name as Cimuka. Puranas mention him as Chinmuka and coins say he is Cheemuka.
Puranas allot 450 Years for Andhra Kings, about 30 in number.

Some of the prominent Kings starting from Srimukha are Krishna, Satakarni, Pulamavi, Goura Krishna, Hala, Goutami putra Satakarni, Vashishta putra satakarni, Pulamavi II, Yajnasri Satakarni, etc,.

Andhras were said to had been cursed by King – Sage Viswamitra to retire beyond Vindhyas according to Puranas. And Itareya Brahmana, Matsya, Vaayu and Brahmanda puranas mention Andhra people. Andhras found mention in Mahabharata war which is said to have occurred at about 3500 Years back.